1952 Vornado Room Air Conditioner!

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  • Опубліковано 18 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 115

  • @air_conditioner_man
    @air_conditioner_man 2 роки тому +23

    Hey Russ, I've got one of these. It is a full 3/4 ton (9000 BTU). Very efficient unit, a 3/4 hp compressor producing a full 3/4 ton of refrigeration. You don't see that very often. Very over-engineered. When restored it should outlast you. That aluminum Research Products filter is very heavy duty. Clean it with a dish washing liquid that cuts through grease such as Dawn and it should last forever. This fixed chassis unit is designed to slide out onto a steel frame, or cradle, mounted in the window, similar to the large chassis Carrier. Congratulations on your find! --Ken

    • @TheAirConditionerGuy
      @TheAirConditionerGuy  2 роки тому +2

      I have a few of these frames from the eary 50’s, maybe even late 40’s. They were housing some of the 1960s and 70’s units in the wells fargo building that i cleaned out back in 2019. I was thinking they were philco but perhaps one will fit this!

    • @willthetrill4849
      @willthetrill4849 2 роки тому +1

      I wonder if the earlier version of these units have a semi hermetic compressor

    • @air_conditioner_man
      @air_conditioner_man 2 роки тому +5

      @@willthetrill4849 This is the early version and it always used a Tecumseh 'B' full hermetic.

  • @vaderexmachina
    @vaderexmachina 2 роки тому +10

    looks like something out of the Jetsons, gotta love that retro-futuristic look of the 50's!!!

  • @kathyoberle9093
    @kathyoberle9093 Рік тому +4

    I like it ,it’s looks like a radio.

  • @jeffsmith846
    @jeffsmith846 2 роки тому +8

    What a monster!! They must have made window frames a lot sturdier back in the 40s and 50s. What an awesome find and please keep us updated on the cleaning and charging. thanks for posting.

  • @shvlaguy
    @shvlaguy 2 роки тому +5

    I can remember when I was a kid my great grandmother had one of those exactly like that one and she finally had it changed out when the evaporator fan motor went out. It rattled for years before it quit

  • @bixfisher
    @bixfisher 2 роки тому +1

    My parents got a VORNADO unit in 1954 when I was born. Record HOT summer. Put in my bedroom because I had asthma at the time. Ours had just one large round opening on the front with the large dial control. No thermostat, just ran on cool or fan. Woke up many mornings with it iced over. Would switch it to fan and then look out the window to watch the condensation get blown out the condenser. I was and am still fascinated by these. We eventually got two more window units but these were Westinghouse. Main floor had one with four square air outlets on front. That thing cooled the entire first floor. The second one was in my parents bedroom, it had three outlets on front. They were similar in color tho this Vornado you feature. The one in my parents bedroom also had a "heat" option. Both of these had the pushbutton controls on the top under a flip open door. I will be watching your channel. Maybe some day you will come across a Westinghouse unit made in the early 50's.

    • @TheAirConditionerGuy
      @TheAirConditionerGuy  2 роки тому

      Thank you for watching and for that way cool memory!! Id love to find a Westy that old!

  • @davef.2811
    @davef.2811 2 роки тому +3

    Wow!! The sound of that bullet-proof compressor starting brought back memories from days as a little kid when A/Cs sounded like that. I remember we had a Vornado fan from 1936 or '38 given to us by my grandmother that was indestructible.

  • @gregoryclemen1870
    @gregoryclemen1870 2 роки тому +3

    those "B" model tecumseh compressors were one tough unit( something you do not see anymore is the "START CAP"). the discharge line coming off of the compressor has the loop in in because the compressor does not have internal springs, only external springs. if the loop was not there , the discharge line would fail due to vibration fatigue. also the cap tube is wound around the suction line to cool the liquid refrigerant in the cap tube to aid in efficiency of the unit. being that it is an "R-12" unit ,a good substitute refrigerant is "R- 401A" ,and it works with mineral oil, so you do not need to change the oil in the compressor!!!!. these units were designed to be worked on/ repaired, not thrown out. when I got into this business 50+ years ago R-12 units were everywhere. in 1960 carrier switched over to R-500 refrigerant( 10% more efficient than R-12) I am glad to see that you take an interest in restoring this old stuff!!!. I also did refrigeration work, when I first started out there was a lot of walk in boxes still in operation with "OPEN BELT DRIVE COMPRESSORS OPERATED BY REPULSION START MOTORS" with sulfer dioxide/ ammonia/ methal formate / methal chloride as refrigerants( the nasty refrigerants), and yes I did have a "GAS MASK" at the ready in case something went wrong. your "NOSE" was the leak detector!!!!, in conjunction with a "HALIDE TORCH"( modern leak detectors will not "sniff" out the nasty refrigerants) the only nasty refrigerant that is still in use today is R-717( ammonia) used in packing plants.

    • @TheAirConditionerGuy
      @TheAirConditionerGuy  2 роки тому

      Im picking up a Carrier in a few weeks that used 500!

    • @gregoryclemen1870
      @gregoryclemen1870 2 роки тому

      @@TheAirConditionerGuy , do you have R-12/ R-500 refrigerants in stock?????, not to mention R-22 refrigerant!!!!

    • @TheAirConditionerGuy
      @TheAirConditionerGuy  2 роки тому

      @@gregoryclemen1870 no i have a guy that does that. You dont really need it most of the time. These are sealed systems. Should never have to service the cooling systems. Thats abuse or operator error if that happens.

    • @mikafoxx2717
      @mikafoxx2717 3 місяці тому

      If you're trusting and want to get into repair of any units with a vompressor and some guages, you could use propane/butane mix sold as an R-12 replacement. Uses under half the weight thanks to much hugher phase change enegy than R-12, and still 70% more than R-500. Just make sure it doesn't leak first!

    • @gregoryclemen1870
      @gregoryclemen1870 3 місяці тому

      @@mikafoxx2717 I do not think that you realize that I have been in the "HVAC-R" industry for over 50 years. YES I DO KNOW WHAT R-290 IS!!!!!!, a pre-war refrigerant that was taken off of the market when R-12 was introduced.

  • @rickmontgomery3037
    @rickmontgomery3037 2 роки тому +6

    Wow the rare and mighty Vornado! I remember seeing one of these on Ken Horan's Flickr page but never thought I'd get to see a video of an actual model, let alone one that works. Nice video and congrats!!

  • @lesto59
    @lesto59 2 роки тому +3

    Westinghouse also used O.A. Sutton compressors up through 1956. Then they started using their own. My grandmother had a 56 Westy in her living room with a Sutton compressor. It was a beast but I loved it.

  • @petermaz701
    @petermaz701 2 роки тому +8

    Oh my God talk about a vintage unit this is really back there and shockingly it starts up and you got the fan motor going what more could you want?

  • @chevyfan9853
    @chevyfan9853 Рік тому +1

    This thing is an absolute beast. Quiet too for what it is

  • @86753091987
    @86753091987 2 роки тому +3

    That is an awesome unit. Cant wait to see it in person! As soon as you turned it on I knew it was a B.

    • @TheAirConditionerGuy
      @TheAirConditionerGuy  2 роки тому +1

      I was thinking that originally but with no charge it sounded more like the s. Im not disappointed tho!

  • @kathyoberle9093
    @kathyoberle9093 Рік тому +2

    I would like to find one like that but a small one to fit in a small basement window.

  • @jeffcarr5363
    @jeffcarr5363 Рік тому +1

    Hope you guys went thru it and use it that thing really neat

  • @jameswright8948
    @jameswright8948 2 роки тому +1

    That is absolutely awesome...nothing else I can say. Can't wait to see it cleaned up and restored.

  • @WeatherWheelHVAC
    @WeatherWheelHVAC 2 роки тому +2

    Damn that thing is a flipping beast, no doubt you and ken will get this thing looking and running like new!

  • @SpeakerFreak95
    @SpeakerFreak95 2 роки тому +2

    That thing is too cool! You’ve gained a subscriber.

  • @rwj777
    @rwj777 2 роки тому +1

    I've owned a few Vornado fans from the 50's and they are still solid runners. 👌🏾 I'm a huge Vornado fan! No pun intended...lol

  • @willthetrill4849
    @willthetrill4849 2 роки тому +3

    I knew you’d get this unit. Interesting dual fan motor setup. For being R-12, it’ll be a more efficient unit because of the lower operating pressure. Can’t wait to see this unit at the meet! I’ll be recording the recharge process with my pro recording equipment

  • @sabbath7081
    @sabbath7081 2 роки тому +3

    I can't believe it you guys are going to find every single awesome vintage unit in the entire area 😔

    • @kenb1918
      @kenb1918 2 роки тому

      Gotta jump if you want to get one.

  • @seesea-sv3xw
    @seesea-sv3xw 2 роки тому +1

    OH WOW, I remember my aunt had one just like that back in the 1960's, I blew a fuse playing with it as a kid 😅

  • @fordmuscleluis9710
    @fordmuscleluis9710 Рік тому +1

    Love Vornado products brings back memories

  • @johncantwell8216
    @johncantwell8216 2 роки тому +1

    Great find!
    The electrical diagrams look just like the ones in the 1954 Westinghouse manuals.

    • @air_conditioner_man
      @air_conditioner_man 2 роки тому +1

      Of course, John, O.A. Sutton made the Westinghouse window units from 1954 through 1957. Westinghouse made some of their window units starting in 1956 and 1957, then all of their window units from 1958 on. BTW, Westinghouse did make all of their pre-war window and console units.

  • @jasonreis9705
    @jasonreis9705 2 роки тому +1

    Nice. What a find!

  • @Paulywint
    @Paulywint 2 роки тому +1

    Wow, not a bad unit, and it seems to work great for a unit that 70 years old

  • @kathyoberle9093
    @kathyoberle9093 Рік тому +2

    Like a boom box installed in the window.

  • @Walkercolt1
    @Walkercolt1 2 роки тому +2

    I've got an OLDER (1948-49?) GOLD fronted one (still runs and cools) in my workshop from my late brother-in-law. 8700 BTU, weighs awful close to 90 lbs. HOOKS UP TO a 1/4" WATER LINE to cool the condenser coils (in back-just trickles water and only when the compressor is running). Now that there is "substitute" R-22 available at reasonable price and LEGALLY, these ooold units will literally blow ice crystals (snow) with new start/run capacitors and mine costs less than half what a "modern" 7800 BTU 120 Volt 11-12 amp unit costs to operate. These old dogs fans don't BLOW as much air (CFM) as modern units, but the output is MUCH colder. A small (36 or 42 inch) ceiling fan or cheap-o box fan will move the cold around for you cheaply. Mine draws 480 watts running.

    • @TheAirConditionerGuy
      @TheAirConditionerGuy  2 роки тому +1

      Way cool man! You got a video up of it? Id love to see it! The water is a bad idea tho unless you have a drain hole drilled for it to run right out. Rust is the #1 killer of these old units. As for refrigerant its good that there are fill ins. Its only a matter of time before r-22 is unobtanium. I can get it for now and have someone put it in.

    • @willthetrill4849
      @willthetrill4849 2 роки тому +1

      Yes please make a video of it. It’ll be really cool for us to see

  • @lightingkid2010
    @lightingkid2010 2 роки тому +1

    i wish there was a 12 hour asmr video of that compressor.

  • @stevegordon5243
    @stevegordon5243 2 роки тому +1

    What a cool looking unit! Hope you are able to recharge and get it working again

  • @perrymckinney6146
    @perrymckinney6146 Рік тому +1

    I love the sound of the compressor, the sound of quality. Todays high speed rotary compressors will die long before these do

  • @Suddenlyits1960
    @Suddenlyits1960 2 роки тому +1

    @TheAirConditinerGuy,I can’t believe you found the same Vornado AC unit I mentioned in a post when I first discovered your incredible channel. I’m honestly blown away by all the vintage air conditioners you find,and that right after I mentioned the Vornado you’d run into one! What are the odds? I now believe you to be capable of the impossible! I would SERIOUSLY be interested in buying this! And would pay you a decent price for it! Of all the vintage units the Vornado would definetly be my favorite! I can’t tell you how disappointed I was when mine came destroyed. P.S I love that second version of the Vornado too,the one that you only have the front panel for! I just can’t believe how lucky you are to find this!

    • @kenb1918
      @kenb1918 2 роки тому +1

      Hahaha you’d have to make a offer for much more then decent for it

    • @Suddenlyits1960
      @Suddenlyits1960 Рік тому

      ​@@kenb1918Did you buy it? I'm still looking for one. What's sad is two teenagers on UA-cam went into an abandoned home out here that had the later version,and they took sledgehammers and destroyed it and a console tv set. Makes me sick to see things like that.

    • @kenb1918
      @kenb1918 Рік тому +1

      @@Suddenlyits1960 my buddy owns this unit, he paid a high price and has no plans to sell it at this moment .

  • @shaunwalker2055
    @shaunwalker2055 2 роки тому +1

    Never knew these existed, seeing your video now I want one!! Subcribed!!!!!

  • @gpowerdragon9852
    @gpowerdragon9852 Рік тому +1

    pretty damn fine antique cool

  • @brucemcgee2281
    @brucemcgee2281 Рік тому +1

    I have always mind of Vornado. I have a fan that moves air from 1952.

  • @Sctronic209
    @Sctronic209 2 роки тому +1

    That’s a cool looking A/C

  • @MinecraftPro97k
    @MinecraftPro97k Рік тому +1

    That's gotta be a rare unit!

  • @cjpwolf2436
    @cjpwolf2436 2 роки тому +1

    I hope it can get semi-restored soon.

  • @gr33n83
    @gr33n83 2 роки тому +3

    Straight out of Fallout 4 :D

    • @TheAirConditionerGuy
      @TheAirConditionerGuy  2 роки тому +1

      Bro i fucking love Fallout 4!! I always wondered why they didnt have any ac units in the game lol! GTA 5 ive seen screenshots of actual Fedders Weather Wheels in it.

  • @kennethwallace4338
    @kennethwallace4338 2 роки тому +1

    Excellent. Never seen one of those.

  • @joebyron9
    @joebyron9 9 місяців тому +2

    That would crush one of these wimpy aluminium windows builders are putting in today😭😭😭

  • @maxxmich
    @maxxmich 2 роки тому +1

    I'd clean that before I run it.. and make sure the wore is good... that's a certified fires starter there

    • @TheAirConditionerGuy
      @TheAirConditionerGuy  2 роки тому

      Ive done dozens of full restorations. You must run it to see what the units need.

  • @CG-1000-T
    @CG-1000-T 2 роки тому +1

    My school has this vintage elkay that is in cosmetically bad shape but it works perfectly. The condenser was plugged up but was cool but when I got most of the dust out, the water was fridgid. Colder than ice water.

  • @ESDI80
    @ESDI80 2 роки тому +1

    You can but the small cans of R-12 off eBay. The other option is dump / flush the oil out of the compressor and coils, use POE oil, and recharge with R-152a.

    • @TheAirConditionerGuy
      @TheAirConditionerGuy  2 роки тому +1

      R12 is where its at!

    • @jrmcferren
      @jrmcferren 2 роки тому

      @@TheAirConditionerGuy You (or whoever services your cooling systems with an EPA Cert) can get reclaimed R12 (you can get reclaimed R22 for your other units when they need service as well and it may be cheaper than the limited virgin R22 on the market). You are very likely going to pay through the nose, but that would require the least modification to the unit. Another option is to have the oil changed and charge with R134a, but there is a loss of capacity possible with that, even after accounting for the capacity loss, your compressor will run at lower current and possibly last longer, your energy efficiency will get a slight boost too. That all said, if it were mine, I'd pay for the R12.

    • @kenb1918
      @kenb1918 2 роки тому +1

      @@jrmcferren yea that’ll be me recharging it, r-12 or bust here. I won’t use a blend.

    • @mikafoxx2717
      @mikafoxx2717 3 місяці тому

      Could always run it on propane butane R12a blend, just make sure you trust your leak fix enough first. That stuff will run more effectively than R-12 even.

  • @Suddenlyits1960
    @Suddenlyits1960 2 роки тому +2

    Wow! This is the EXACT Vornado unit I had bought about 20 years ago only to have it arrive with the front bezel completely destroyed! You amaze me. How are you able to find these things ?! Would you consider selling this one? I’ve never been able to find find another. The outside metal housing of mine was two tone color

    • @TheAirConditionerGuy
      @TheAirConditionerGuy  2 роки тому

      Is this the one that was on ebay years and years ago?? Ive been after one since then too. Thats a damn shame that it was damaged.

  • @Michaelc-gn3eg
    @Michaelc-gn3eg 2 роки тому +1

    Can you show you guys fixing the unit up ?

  • @Thomas-yr9ln
    @Thomas-yr9ln 4 місяці тому

    They had a air conditioner on a episode of Hazel. She traded up for it.

  • @derekobidowski3301
    @derekobidowski3301 2 роки тому

    you should also clean the condenser because it being plugged up will cause high head pressure in the compressor and if its worn out the reeds in the compressor can snap and it won't cool but atleast i see a start capacitor on it

  • @Thomas-yr9ln
    @Thomas-yr9ln 4 місяці тому +1

    Like that one

  • @PanaikinElectric
    @PanaikinElectric 2 роки тому +1

    Have you any chance you get a vintage Friedrich A/C? It would awesome if you get any 1960's to 1970's Friedrich models. Also you have never seen any 1972 Friedrich SM10311 model, I hope you get vintage Friedrich units! I'd like any vintage units.

    • @TheAirConditionerGuy
      @TheAirConditionerGuy  2 роки тому

      Im looking for the 60s one with gyro controls and diagonal logo on the back

    • @PanaikinElectric
      @PanaikinElectric 2 роки тому +1

      @@TheAirConditionerGuy Great! Good luck to finding one of these.

    • @air_conditioner_man
      @air_conditioner_man 2 роки тому +4

      The Friedrich you reference is AFAIK the most efficient window unit ever made and one of the last to use the Tecumseh 'B'. I believe it uses the Tecumseh B8413 compressor, one of the most efficient compressors ever made.

    • @mikeytown
      @mikeytown 2 роки тому +1

      I rented an apartment from 2003-2010 that had a Friedrich window A/C. That sucker was super long, it hung out the window about 2 1/2 feet (on the outside). The thermostat went bad on it, so I bypassed it and rigged it so if I turned it on, it was on, otherwise if I got too cold I turned it off. When I opened it up I remember the label said 1978 and I was amazed the thing still worked 30 years later. It was still running when I left the apartment.

  • @DRNEGOLICIS
    @DRNEGOLICIS 2 роки тому

    ive been replaceing r12 with R290 (propane) or R152a (air duster)

  • @sivalley
    @sivalley 2 роки тому +1

    That old beast running R12 7.5k maybe 5SEER AFTER you get the condenser cleaned. 🤣

    • @TheAirConditionerGuy
      @TheAirConditionerGuy  2 роки тому

      Whats your point?

    • @sivalley
      @sivalley 2 роки тому

      @@TheAirConditionerGuy It's a museum piece for sure. But being an HVAC/R tech I wouldn't put it into actual service. I'm sure if someone found a current NOS unit in 70 years they would say the same, if it didn't rust into dust.

    • @TheAirConditionerGuy
      @TheAirConditionerGuy  2 роки тому +2

      @@sivalley i would. The build quality on anything past the early 2000s is embarrassing at best. The units wattage on these beasts were rated at worst possible conditions. Theres a video of a 1969 Fedders thats 14000 BTU drawing 700 watts. Guess what compressor was in it… Tecumseh B, just like this Vornado has. Some are hogs but some are not. Id pay to run a work horse. Theyre nicer looking, last longer, and blow colder than the junk window units made today. I cant speak for central or mini splits as i dont know anything about them and dont care to know. I collect vintage room acs, and thats what i use.

    • @sivalley
      @sivalley 2 роки тому +2

      @@TheAirConditionerGuy Thanks for understanding that it wasn't a jab at you. Just a little jaded by people asking me to fix their obviously abused gear most of the time and giving me disgusted looks when I tell them how much it would take to do so or having to tell them parts are no longer made but demand it still be fixed in the blink of an eye for a song and dance.

    • @TheAirConditionerGuy
      @TheAirConditionerGuy  2 роки тому +2

      @@sivalley dude i dig it man. I have guys commenting on my posts asking me to fix theirs then when i say how much theyre shocked. It literally does cost about double to repair some of these than it costs for a new unit. Its all about what youre willing to spend to do so.

  • @jayjordan5555
    @jayjordan5555 2 роки тому +1

    Holy wow!

  • @derekobidowski3301
    @derekobidowski3301 2 роки тому +2

    Vornado then when it was O.A. Sutton made these along with the window units the late 1950s they ceased the Vornado products until Two Guys aquired them still used the Vornado name in some products Company today is Vornado Reality Trust. its not associated with todays company Vornado Air LLC in Andover KS. but for refrigeration parts for this unit the CFC R12 is obselete the unit should be charged with R134a or R1234YF. the fan motors used are exactly used in their fans at the time by Universal electric the shaded pole type. as its a testimate how well things were made then. unlike today.

    • @TheAirConditionerGuy
      @TheAirConditionerGuy  2 роки тому

      I wish the new Vornado would reproduce the acs just like they have been doing with the fans. I have no interest in using a drop in refrigerant, especially since r12 is still accessible. Theyre sealed systems so once the leak is found the charge will theoretically last forever.

  • @suezq74
    @suezq74 10 місяців тому

    What refrigerant charge does it use? Does it use the illustrious R410A? (I also respect R410A and R410A systems,)

    • @TheAirConditionerGuy
      @TheAirConditionerGuy  9 місяців тому

      This one is r12

    • @suezq74
      @suezq74 6 місяців тому

      @@TheAirConditionerGuy oh no no no no R12 is bad for the ozone layer. Many people like Jordan don’t realise R22’s impact on the environment

    • @mikafoxx2717
      @mikafoxx2717 3 місяці тому

      ​@@suezq74Well its from the 50's and hasn't leaked yet. They're not making any more of it.

    • @suezq74
      @suezq74 3 місяці тому

      @@mikafoxx2717Well, i’m sorry but any HVAC system can and will leak anytime and (anywhere if it’s a portable). So that thing will lose it’s refrigerant entirely one day.

  • @joshb124
    @joshb124 2 роки тому

    Did anyone else catch the 208/230 supply voltage on the tag? Looked like it was a standard 110 cord on the video. Wonder if 230 would make the fan and compressor sound happier, it it’s indeed not a 110 unit.

    • @joshb124
      @joshb124 2 роки тому

      Well never mind, looked at it again and it can be wired for either voltage.

  • @michaelcoffey7362
    @michaelcoffey7362 2 роки тому +1

    Nice 😀

  • @lklpalka
    @lklpalka Рік тому +2

    These videos are wonderful and awful at the same time. I get a pang in my chest when I see "made in Wichita Kansas" and all the other reminders of our industrial might. It's when we made stuff.

  • @4strom
    @4strom 5 місяців тому

    مدهش عظيم

  • @jimmybrown2541
    @jimmybrown2541 Рік тому

    Wow

  • @ralphgiampietro85
    @ralphgiampietro85 2 роки тому

    Great find your spinning that condenser motor in the wrong direction,that condenser fan motor should spin clockwise looking from the motor end as i see it from my perspective

  • @GlowwormGang
    @GlowwormGang 4 місяці тому +1

    It has a face!

  • @realbaron5714
    @realbaron5714 5 місяців тому

    It need to be cleaned and repair some pieces, would be restored.

  • @NATEBURNS976
    @NATEBURNS976 Рік тому

    Eeeeek!!!!! There are wasp nests in there!!!!!

  • @sc1338
    @sc1338 Рік тому +1

    Made in the USA

  • @maxxmich
    @maxxmich 2 роки тому

    unplug it before u go in side